Joe Staley would rather stay with 49ers than get traded to contender

Joe Staley is one of the last remaining 49ers that appeared in three straight playoff runs in 2011 through 2013. And with the trade deadline looming Tuesday, the five-time Pro-Bowl left tackle has been bandied about as a potential trade target for contending teams.

San Francisco is rebuilding and the 33-year-old might not fit in the long-term planning. First-year coach Kyle Shanahan admitted this week that while he doesn’t want to trade Staley, he’ll listen to overtures other teams might make.

As for Staley, being mentioned in trade rumors is old hat. He reiterated Thursday that he would rather stay with the team that drafted him than play elsewhere, even if it meant contending for another shot at the Super Bowl.

“I’ve always wanted to play for the Niners. Thoughts don’t change now,” Staley said. “I’m just focused what I got to better, with my job.”

Staley’s name has been linked to teams needing to solidify their offensive line to make a deep playoff run. San Francisco is winless and has already parted from a number of established veterans, including former All-Pro linebacker NaVorro Bowman.

Staley continues to play at a high level and gives the 49ers the advantage of having a productive player at a premium position, which is a rarity on Shanahan’s roster. The 2007 first-round pick said he’s never had to talk with the front office about hearing his name in trade rumors.

“Because they know I want to be here and I have to do my job on the field,” Staley said. “What I’m concerned is we’re coming off a game where didn’t do well in pass protection. We have a hell of a challenge this week against the Eagles. My job is to do better in that respect.”

The 49ers on Sunday allowed five sacks to the Cowboys during the 40-10 defeat at Levi’s Stadium. Staley was beaten by pass rusher Demarcus Lawrence on a play near the end of the first half that resulted in a strip sack of rookie quarterback C.J. Beathard, taking away a scoring opportunity after San Francisco was already down 20-3.

Sunday’s game in Philadelphia could be an audition, of sorts. The Eagles lost All-Pro left tackle Jason Peters to a season-ending knee injury Monday against Washington and might be inclined to go all in by trading for Staley after their 6-1 start.

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